Tgif {14} Banned Books

Tgif is a weekly meme hosted and created by Ginger at Greads. This feature lets us wrap up the week and also poses a weekly question pertaining to blogging, books and what have you. This weeks question:

Banned Books: How do you feel about the censorship of the freedom to read? Do you think the education system needs to be more strict on what children are exposed to in books?

I think most book bloggers, me included will band together and agree that book censorship is wrong.

Adults should be able to read whatever they choose and no government or committee should deem otherwise. For instance say your a person that likes to read "how to" manuals about molesting kids, well then your a sick pervert and if your doing that to kids you should go to jail were another sick pervert is reading a manual on how to molest new inmates.


There is a huge gray area when dealing with children- I am first and most importantly a parent and I believe some books can do more harm than good. I do not want a teacher or an educator to expose my child to something that she's not ready for -OR-before Ive had a chance to discuss it with her first, that's taking away my rights as a parent to deem whats fit for my child. Thankfully I live in a district were most of the parents are involved with what gets shown, discussed, what have you, thats why we choose this particular school district.

In all honesty- really ask yourself this question- are there any books out there right now that we cant go to Amazon and buy? Banning does not equal illegal,  Ive only heard of a few book banning's in public schools and banning in schools is a community, parental and school district decision, its not an act against freedom, if a book has been pulled off a public school library shelf and you want your kid to read it....go buy it.....This could go on and on, get ugly and cause fights, so I tend to stay out of the book banning drama, but my stance is when it comes down to it-  its a parents job to decide what their kids are reading.



My teen (14) just finished Bitter End and The Hate List by Jennifer Brown, while both were very mature books, I felt as her mother she could handle it, after she read it, we talked about abusive relationships, the signs of an unhealthy boyfriend, violence and sexual relationships in teen dating. But another parent may not feel the same way I do about these books, so it would not be my place to share them with another child. I expect the same respect from another adult, be it a teacher or other, concerning my children.

The Saturday Spotlight- Win Released
Faith and Fiction Discuss Forbidden
Chatting with Authors- Janni Lee Simner
Waterfall Wednesdays #5
Good Girl Movies
Tgif

Win a Copy of The Crown on Your Head Ends 10/1



Have a great weekend folks, eat popcorn and watch a good movie...Ill be reading The Faerie Ring and starting Season three of Friday Night Lights.

Good Girl Movies {1}

Good Girl Movies- a new feature here at Tinasbookrevies, reviewing movies so wholesome your clothes will get clean watching them.

The Shunning

2011/Hallmark
Not Rated 

About to embark on an arranged marriage with the bishop of her Amish community, 19-year-old Katie realizes she can't go through with it when she learns she's adopted -- that is, not truly Amish. Now, she must face the silent wrath of her community.

While Im taking a break this year from Amish fiction, I still love to watch Amish movies....

Katie has a little secret in her heart....she loves to sing and she loves to play the guitar- two things that are forbidden in the Amish life. Arranged to marry the bishop of her community, Katie trys her best to hid the secrets that make her different. When fate brings Katie the truth of her biological parents and that she really isn't Amish, so many things start falling into place. The answer to the deep longing to sing and be free finally make sense.

However when an Amish girl takes a stand and goes against whats forbidden, consequences happen. When the entire community shuns Katie, shes hurt, confused and doesn't know how to handle whats happening. I liked this for what was, a nice wholesome Hallmark movie, however the romantic drama- which had so much potential fizzled out abruptly and the ending left everything unresolved. Im wondering now if I should read the books.......argh!!

Family Friendly? Yes- my 10 year old and I watched this together and she loved it, however my 14 yr old rolled her eyes a lot and didn't finish it with us. I would say this is great for a mom and daughter night or just for yourself if you enjoy wholesome, Amish girl faces dilemma then overcomes type stories.

3/5 Movie Review

Like Dandelion Dust-

September 24, 2010 by Blue Collar
PG-13

Jack and Molly Campbell are horrified to learn that the biological father (Barry Pepper) of their adopted son, Joey has been released from prison and wants custody of the boy. As the legal case builds against the Campbells, the couple hatches a risky plan to save their family. Mira Sorvino also stars in this gripping drama as Pepper's girlfriend, Wendy.

I think what shocked me most about this movie is that its based on a Christian novel...it contains some very harsh topics about alcohol abuse, violence, a volatile relationship and a custody battle over a little boys adoption.


The movie is cleaver and heart wrenching as it gives you both sides to each set of parents. I felt attached to both sets of parents and even though I knew who would be better for Joey, I was still broken hearted to see the outcome. From Peppers fabulous performance as an alcoholic abusive husband, to Mira Sorvinos portrayal of a battered, beaten down woman trying to do right by her son, I thought this movie was very well done.

Family Friendly? Not really- but would be ok for 15 and up.  Due to the violence, drugs and alcohol issues, I think this is more for the person who wants a serious movie with tough issues minus sex scenes and language. DD also deals heavily with adoption, child abuse and domestic abuse, so younger kids probably wont understand or appreciate the film.

4/5
Movie Review

**So already this year Im so busy and my reading time has fallen way behind. I thought adding a new movie feature and flip flopping it with my Mini-Reviews would help break up things a bit...:) What do you guys think? Good feature, bad feature, would love to hear from you....

Waterfall Wednesdays Discussion #5

Welcome to Waterfall Wednesdays. A book talk event inspired by Lisa Bergrens Waterfall. For the month of September each week a host will provide discussion questions and we will chat, discuss, swoon-what have you!! There is still time join and linking up today enters you in for the Trilogy. Commenting enters you in for the Tuscan Earrings



Discussion #5- Chapters 24-28
Questions provided by Nic at Irresistible Reads

After Gabi is injured, the doctor gives her a tonic. Gabi questions the doctor several times what is in it but he refuses to tell. Would have you taken the tonic in Gabi situation?

Hard question! As the reader I can say heck no....however if I was really Gabi I probably would have drank it too, I mean we listen to our Doctors and trust that they are making good choices in health recommendations....I mean whats a 21st-century girl to do- she didn't know the doc was going to go 

all medieval on her........**wink-wink**

Before the games Gabi asks Lia to let Lord Forabosch win in the archery event as people- especially Lord Forabosch- are becoming suspicious of them. But during the games Lord Forabosch upsets Lia trying to throw her off her game. So Lia decides to win. Do you think she did the right thing by not letting Lord Forabosch bully her or do you think she took an unnecessary risk?

Total girl power! I think Lia did the right thing by winning....I think she could have even gone a little further and rubbed some stinky armpit in his face.......Muaaahahahah....

When Gabi is dying and she and Lia decide to return to the tombs so they can get the cure at home, they have to tell Marcello the truth. Even though Marcello thinks that it is madness that they are from the future, he believes in Gabi because he loves her. Do you think this is believable? What would you have done if you were Marcello?

I think its believable- due to the fact that Marcello knew from the get-go that Gabs was different.....while his first assumption was witchcraft I think he handled things pretty well. Had I been Marcello I would of sent her back too...I would rather see my love live even if that meant something sacrificial on my part.

In the end Gabi and Lia return home. Do you think Gabi will return to Marcello? Would you go back?

Oh yes! That girl will go back.....and I would go back too right after I grabbed a toilet, some hairspray, Bath & Body Works Dark Kiss, an ipod, tampons, diet coke, my Nook, tooth brush, mints, deodorant, penicillin, Advil, my collection of the River of Time Series and an endless supply of batteries and Jelly Belly's to take back with me.....

Looking back at Waterfall what was your favorite moment? 

Ohhhhhh- so many to choose from, I loved when Marcello carried Gabi to her horse and they had that intense eye moment, I also loved their first kiss and the entire Tuscan Ball the girls went to. I loved that Gabi was a great heroine for teens and even adult gals to look up to and loved that loyalty and friendship were a great core value in the book. I think my favorite part out of everything was when Marcello placed Gabis hands on the print and sent her back to her own time. It was an incredible act of faith and love to let her go. I think right about there I fell in love with Marcello.......(and yes he's a man not a teenager.....I mean he's all king-like and fighting in wars and its Medieval....he's Cheetos...young in the bag but still aged to perfection...)

Waterfall Wrap Up


This has been such a fun read-along. I got to meet new bloggers and made a few new friends and spent way...WAY...to much time talking about armpits. I love read-alongs!! Also I need to take a minute and thank the great girls who helped with this, Jenny, Joy, Serena, Nic and Missie- you guys are the best....and Lisa Bergren you are one the sweetest authors Ive gotten to know over email, twitter and the books.....because when we all say we have the hots for Marcello, I guess we all have the hots for Lisa Bergren....LOL....

Missie at The Unread Reader is keeping a tally of all the winners over this month if you want to find out who won the weekly prizes and Lisa Bergren will be announcing the Tuscan earring winner later. Please head over to Nics blog today to link up for your chance to win the last trilogy set. Its been great reading with you all and I hope you carry on with Cascade and Torrent.
**Team River of Time**




Photo Credits: Creative Commons Armpit (lol)
Henry Cavil- Tristan & Isolde (cc) 

Giveaway- The Crown on Your Head by Nancy Tillman

We know our children are special, and now the incomparable Nancy Tillman expresses this universal feeling in the most touching of ways: Every child is born with a crown. The crown is everything that gives us unique value. Our crown will always be with us wherever we go, whatever we do.

Today I have a copy of The Crown on Your head by Nancy Tillman thanks to the folks at MacMillan. Open to US and Canadian residents. Please leave a comment for an entry. Winners will be drawn Oct 1, 2011.


Watch the Trailer

Chatting with Authors- Featuring Janni Lee Simner

Today Im thrilled to have one of my favorite authors Janni Lee Simner stop by for a chat. Janni is the author of books like Bones of Faerie and Thief Eyes, she's also a former girl scout traveler and hosts her own blog: Desert Dispatches.

Janni- welcome to the blog and thanks for stopping by today. I would love for you to share with readers a little bit about yourself.

I've been writing stories pretty much since I to write at all, but started telling myself stories long before then. I currently live in the Arizona desert--where I love camping and hiking­with my husband and a couple of tuxedo kitties. (One of whom is working on world domination, the other of whom is working on perfecting her naps. Oddly enough, they get along pretty well.)


I've published three young adult novels: the post-apocalyptic faerie tales Bones of Faerie and Faerie Winter; and the Iceland-based fantasyThief Eyes. I've published four children's books as well, most recently Secret of the Three Treasures, and more than 30 short stories, including one in the recent Welcome to Bordertown anthology. I also have an essay in the just-released Dear Bully.

Ok can I just say cats who strive for world domination are always the best pets!!! Do you know whats even better than cats....your novel Bones of Faerie. Its one of my favorite YA books ever....what inspired you to write it?

Bones of Faerie actually began in the mid-90s, when I was living in St. Louis and just beginning to write seriously. I just sort of had an image and a feeling, and I sat down and wrote this http://www.simner.com/bonesoffaerie/excerpt.html">opening scene about a girl's sister being set out on a hillside to die for showing signs of magic. In it there was also mention of a War with Faerie. 

I didn't know where that opening came from, or how one could possibly go to war with an imaginary realm. I did know that the opening terrified me, though--because I loved it, and because I had no idea what happened next. It took me years--twelve of them, in all--to figure out the rest of the story. Along the way I wrote and sold a bunch of other things. In many ways, I spent that time working on becoming good enough a writer to do Bones of Faerie justice, because I wanted--and needed--to tell that story so badly. It haunted me all through those years.

Have fairy tales always interested you and do you have any favorites?

Not a fairy tale exactly, but I imprinted on the faerie ballad Tam Lin back in college, when my roommate had a tape of it being sung that we played over and over again. That was when I began to think of faeries as a bit frightening, because of that ballad with its image of a faerie queen who would gladly turn someone into a tree, or take out their heart and replace it with one of stone, if that they didn't act as she wanted.


I'm also intrigued by the Twelve Dancing Princesses, but haven't explored that one in depth yet. And I love Sondheim's Into the Woods for its explorations of what fairy tales are really about, and what happens after the ever after.

(Note to self: Avoid faerie queens who want to rip my heart out.....)

As a YA author, are there any subjects you're interested in writing about outside the magical/fairy tale realm?

I mostly always write about magic one way or another, but I'm definitely interested in magic outside of as well as within fairy tales. My fascinations include the Icelandic sagas. Njal's Saga--which I was reading when I visited Iceland for the first time--wound up being the starting point for my novel Thief Eyes, a contemporary fantasy set in Iceland. It was in Njal's Saga that I first met Hallgerd, a woman whose uncle said she had the eyes of a thief, and who would go on to refuse her husband two locks of her hair when he needed to restring his bow in battle. I wrote Thief Eyes in part to understand Hallgerd better, and in part because I'd fallen in love with Iceland through my visits. No faeries in Thief Eyes, but there is a companionable arctic fox, a dangerous raven, and a geeky shapeshifting polar-bear boy.

Tacos or Hamburgers?

Oh, hard call. Can I take the chimichanga option instead?

HAHA- yes! My favorite food is enchilada's so I guess we both love eating Mexican food. Usually while Im eating really good food I love watching movies.....whats the last great movie you saw?

I'm incredibly picky about movies. The last few I'd call truly great (though I've seen good ones since then!) would Miyazaki films: Ponyo(most recently) and Spirited Away (before that). Really, anything by Miyazaki is pretty awesome. 

I have not seen Ponyo yet, is that about a fish? Im not that picky about my movies...I mean give me a hot man and a decent plot...Im sold.....add some enchiladas and chips n salsa and oh my gosh it could be the worst movie ever and Id love it..but before I get all tangled in a hot men and food movie convo...What are you reading right now?

Silence, by Michelle Sagara, which is due out next year. I love her adult Sun Sword novels (written as Michelle West), so I'm really excited about her YA.

Books already out that I've loved recently include The Shattering (by Karen Healey), Give Up the Ghost (by Megan Crewe), and Pride and Prejudice. (by Jane Austen, of course--because yes, it really did take me until a few weeks ago to finally read it!)

Ohhh, I need to read Give Up the Ghost and The Shattering, they both sound great! Well Janni, thank you so much for chatting with me today, before you go can you share any future projects heading our way?

I just turned the third/final Faerie book to my editor. The working title is currently Faerie After, and it should be out in early 2013. It's been many years since I wrote the opening of Bones of Faerie, and I feel like Liza and I have traveled such a long way together since then and come to know each other well!

Wowza! Cant wait. Im so excited to see where you take Liza! Thanks again Janni for visiting and sending you happy vibes for your future writing!!

Janni Lee Simner was born aboard a pirate ship, but as soon as she came of age booked passage with a caravan bound for the Sahara, and spent the next decade as a seeker of lost cities, hidden tombs, and ancient artifacts. While hiding from assassins in the lost Library of Alexandria, however, she discovered she really preferred telling stories, and so she settled down in the Sonoran desert to write, interrupted only by the occasional map-bearing stranger or man-eating Gila monster.

The Faith and Fiction Round Table Discusses- Forbidden by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee

The Faith and Fiction Round Table- hosted by Amy at MyfriendAmy, is a group of bloggers who read books dealing with faith, religion and inspirational aspects. Six books were chosen this year and at the scheduled time we discuss the book and then post our thoughts on personal blogs. This years fifth book and discussion was:

Forbidden by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee

September 13, 2011 by Center Street

 

A terrible truth has been revealed to one man: the entire human race has been drained of every emotion, except one— fear. To bring life back to the world, Rom must embark on a journey that will end either in his own demise or a reawakening of humanity. But to bring love and passion back into existence will also threaten the powers of the world with the revolution and anarchy that had nearly destroyed them previously.

After happening upon a journal through strange circumstance, Rom's world is shattered. He learns that humanity long ago ceased to "live," that it exists today in a living death of emotions. In a terrible risk, Rom exposes himself to the vial of blood folded into the old leather of the journal. His change is fearful and fraught with mind-bending emotion. A once-pious observer of the Order's passionless statues, he is filled with uncontrollable impulses. He is filled with love. He is undone, terrified, and alone in the desolate world.

Thoughts

For the first time many of us on The Round Table just didn't know what to think of Forbidden, while some us liked it and came to appreciate it, many were turned off by the violence and some of us thought the storyline was to reminiscent of Dekker's Circle Series. I place myself in the lot of appreciating this story later, near the third part- when things kind of veer off into the more meaty parts of the story. Admittedly it took a long time to get into the feel of the novel and I wasn't able to connect to any of the characters until the very end...which happened to be one outside of the MC circle.

Im pleasantly used to Dekker's descriptive style, push to the limits Inspy fiction and violent gore. Forbidden is no different, plenty of blood, guts and foul things happen to the characters in this world and while I loved Tosca Lee's sensuous voice that mixed throughout the storyline, I actually found some of the violence a bit overboard- the murders and a particular "heart scene" felt forced and dare I say it- a bit contrived. And that's hard for me to say as I'm an extreme Dekker fan, theres not much he can write that I wouldn't like, however I couldn't help thinking many of the scenes (even the sexy scenes) were for shock value and not for the flow of the story........I was half surprised seeing how the book deals with dead-like people that at some point zombies didn't start popping out behind trees to start eating peoples brains........

.....alright though, this is suppose to be a discussion post, not a review, so friends what did Forbidden show me as a reader? What faith aspects could I draw parallel to?

Probably the most profound aspect I could take away was the blood issue. The characters in this dystopian set society all suffered the after effects of a government controlled disease that over time raped citizens of their human emotions, leaving them with only the sense of fear. In order for any of those senses to return, a person (or in this case the main MC's) had to drink a special vial of blood to restore those feelings. But even after the healing takes place, the disease slowly would begin to seep back in- dulling their emotions once again to robotic like beings. Just touching on this concept alone- what I read between the pages drawing this to Christianity, was the idea that only with the acceptance of Christs sacrifice and his blood rebirths a person from a dead state of sin.

And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. Hebrews 9:22

The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Romans 6:10-12

With the latter part of the issue I could see the parallel between the characters who would eventually revert back to that emotionless state with the issues that Christians face everyday living in the world. Walking with Christ is a daily commitment and many things in our walk can easily distract us, be it busyness, idleness, ministry, hobbies or sin. Even with the healing and the acceptance of Christ, daily thorns and obstacles can numb and deaden which was once an alive feeling. I guess that's why its so important to keep moving forward and staying in the Word, so we do not lose that connection. While I firmly believe we cannot lose our salvation after a true conversion, I do think we can become dead in Spirit if we do not keep vigilant and look to the end of the race God has set before us.

Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. Matthew 13.22

Forbidden even with its passionate crossroads to Christianity, from the blood aspect to the similar death decrees Christ encountered as an infant isn't an overtly Christian book, I think anyone could pick this up and enjoy the eerie doomed scenarios and gruesome violence that surrounds it. I know I will be carrying on with the series and with each authors bold takes on creation, sin, sex and violence, Im eager to see where the Dekker/Lee team takes us.

Check out the rest of the groups thoughts today:

Book Addiction, Book Hooked Blog, Books and Movies, Crazy for Books, Ignorant Historian, Linus's Blanket, My Random Thoughts, One Person's Journey Through a World of Books, Roving Reads, Semicolon, The 3R's Blog, Victorious Cafe, Word Lily, MyfriendAmy


Thanks to Sarah Reck and Center Street for Review Copy
Photo Credit: Brad Pitt- The Legends of the Fall (cc)

The Saturday Spotlight with Megan Duncan& Giveaway of Released

Welcome to The Saturday Spotlight, a weekly feature hosted here at Tinasbookreviews that celebrates Indie, self-published, debut and authors who specialize in ebook publishing. This week I have the pleasure introducing readers to:



MEGAN DUNCAN
~author of Released~
Q&A

Hi Megan! Thanks for stopping by today, to start please tell us about yourself.

I live in Vegas and have a cat named Jack that thinks he is a dog.  I am in love with sushi and science fiction.  When I'm not working, which is pretty much all the time, I write and go to the movies.

What inspired you to write Released?

I was inspired to write Released from my love of science fiction and the paranormal. There were so many zombie books out I wanted to do a different twist on an apocalyptic story.

Did you have any major research/travel or personal experience go into the book? 

I actually did. A lot the places my characters went to are places I have personally been. I also used a map to track their route for the entire story.

Why YA? 

I write YA because it is the genre that I personally love to read and it just felt natural to write. I can't imagine myself writing any other kind of genre.

If you could cast the main lead of your book in a movie who would you choose?

For Released I would choose... a teen aged Mila Jovovich. I just don't know of any actress that can do action as well as she can.

What are you reading now? 

I just finished BETA reading a YA novel for an indie author, Descended by Blood.

Can you share any future works with us?  

I just finished writing the first in my vampires series, Savor. It will be available September 1st. I am really excited about it.

-Megan Duncan is a lover of all things paranormal, fantasy, sci-fi and anything just out of the ordinary. She is continually fighting her addiction to chocolate and living in her overactive imagination.

Find out more about Megan at Goodreads. and at Meganduncan.blogspot.com

That is great about your second book, congrats!! Thanks so much Megan for stopping by today and chatting with me. Best of luck to your writing career in YA....and ps- Mila is a perfect choice!



Giveaway

Today Megan is giving an ebook copy of Released to one of my readers. This giveaway is open to everyone- just leave a comment and link to profile or email. Winner will be drawn and notified on 10/1.

Released by Megan Duncan

April 2011 by Create Space

After a demon apocalypse kills their parents and everyone they know, 17-year old Abby Phillips, her brother, Carter, and friend, Max flee their home to travel through what has become the wastelands of America. 

When radio transmissions of a resistance offering shelter and safety cease, Abby is tempted to give up. Struggling to overcome life-threatening obstacles in their dangerous journey, Abby and her companions quickly discover there are much worse things lurking in the dark than they could have ever imagined.

Photo Credit: Mila- Resident Evil (cc) 

Tgif {13} Reading Challenges

Tgif is a weekly meme hosted and created by Ginger at Greads. This feature lets us wrap up the week and also poses a weekly question pertaining to blogging, books and what have you. This weeks question:

Reading Challenges: Did you sign up for any this year? How has your progression been?

I am a challenge-junkie, so of course I signed up for a ton.......
(my bloggie friend Missie from The Unread Reader did a post like this a few months ago- Im going to borrow her format for my progress breakdown...)

Whisper Stories in my Ear 

Bewitched Bookworms -Audiobook Challenge.

Status: 47/300 Hours Listened to

Doing pretty good...NOT. I have 3 months to listen to 203 hours worth of audio books. Call me crazy but I may not make it.

Vampire Challenge hosted by Parajunkee's View

Status: 12/20 Read

Well shiver me timbers, I think Im going to pull this one off. Vampires are never hard for me to get into....and with a mix of YA and even some CF vampires this year the selections are great.

Show Me The Free- The Unread Reader

Challenge to read free books on Kindle/Nook.

Status: 0/12 Read

Wow- Missie I suck!! I guess me and free aren't getting along right now.....EKE!!!!

Book Soulmates Zombie Challenge

Status: 3/10 Read

Not making as much progress as I thought I would...I have a few on the horizon before January hits, but more than likely I don't see myself finishing this one...and ps- that picture is scary...Im shivering a little..

Book Soulmates Host Steampunk Ahead

Status: 0/10

Epic Fail!

The Book Vixens- Nicholas Sparks Challenge

Status: 1/10 

Well fiddle sticks....I guess my intentions of re-reading all my favorite spend a year with Master Sparks has fizzled out faster than a sparkler on the 4rth of July.....

Stainless Steel Droppings- R.I.P VI

Status: 0/2 Read- 2011-Fall Event

2 books people...its 2 books.....well at least I have until November to get this one done. My favorite challenge every year and I fail every time. You can see now why I keep chocolate out of my house........

The Goodreads 2011 Challenge

Status: 131/150 Books Read

Well blow me down- I think I will complete this one. I really wanted to get 200 books in this year, but Im happy with this challenge.

The Book Junkie's- Christian Fiction Challenge

Status: 12+/12

Ok so this one was easy- I read so much Inspy fiction I knew 12 would be a piece of cake.....Hey man at least Im not a total challenge-failure.

WIN!

The Saturday Spotlight with Mike Faricy

Review- There You'll Find Me

Shelf Cravings

Waterfall Wednesdays- #4

Mini-Reviews

Tgif

Have a great weekend everyone....I know my weekend will be filled with soccer, football, lots of coffee and catching up on season two of Friday Night Lights.....

Friday Night Lights- Photo Credit: NBC

Mini-Reviews {12}- Featuring The Dark and Hollow Places

Mini~Reviews

In where I get out a few thoughts on a bundle of books Ive read.

The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan
March 22, 2011 by Delacrote Books
Purchased

There are many things that Annah would like to forget: the look on her sister's face before Annah left her behind in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, her first glimpse of the Horde as they swarmed the Dark City, the sear of the barbed wire that would scar her for life. But most of all, Annah would like to forget the morning Elias left her for the Recruiters.

Annah's world stopped that day, and she's been waiting for Elias to come home ever since. Somehow, without him, her life doesn't feel much different than the dead that roam the wasted city around her. Until she meets Catcher, and everything feels alive again. But Catcher has his own secrets. Dark, terrifying truths that link him to a past Annah has longed to forget, and to a future too deadly to consider. And now it's up to Annah: can she continue to live in a world covered in the blood of the living? Or is death the only escape from the Return's destruction?

Thoughts

Brain munching zombies, a dystopian set society- where oh where will Ryan take our doom fated characters? I guess to The Dark City, which we unfortunately don't get to much of, the book spends most of its majority with the Recruiters and introducing readers to Annah, Gabris twin sister, whom I wound up liking just as much as Mary in book one. As Gabri and Elias lose themselves in intoxicating romance, Annah and Catcher begin heating up a romance of there own even though Catcher struggles with his desire to love and the position he's been placed in gambling the lives of the other three. Without an option to say no, he becomes slave to the recruiters missions and has to go out among the horde to get supplies. Little do those pesky recruiters know that forcible cooperation isn't sitting well with Catcher and before long the gang is risking everything to escape.

I loved the new character development in this novel, while Elias and Gabri slowly became like a boil on ones butt and my liking of them pretty much deteriorated over the course of numerous make-out sessions, I loved the Catcher/Annah chemistry and the direction Ryan took them.

While The Forest of Hands and Teeth will always remain my favorite of the three- The Dark and Hollow Places ended with the dreary bittersweet of survival right back where everything started......

Rating

Recommended to mature teen and adult readers, contains: Violence, death, suspense, sensuality/sexuality and mild zombie gore.

4/5- YA-Zombies

The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegen

September 27, 2011 by Egmont

Ok- so lets get right down to it- this book just wasn't for me. I thought perhaps with the heaven and hell concept it might be a book I could get into...but sour disappointment came with it.

Im about sick of girl meets a creep and immediately spreads eagle plotlines....how pathetically trashy and how sad for the young girls reading this. Jax (hell-boy love interest) makes Patch kind of look like a knight in shinning armor-

Sasha was a freaking idiot and after the strange and offensive scene that takes place in a school cafeteria, I had about my fill of stupid girl and less than stellar writing. Overall, this was completely ridiculous for a YA book, the sex scenes were R rated, the plot-line was nonexistent and to sum it all up I have one word: SLEAZY!!

1/5- YA-Paranormal

Review Galley provided by Publisher

Straw House, Wood House, Brick House, Blow by Daniel Nayeri

October 11, 2011 by Candlewick Press

Review Galley via Netgalley

Sometimes short story's are perfect for a quick read or getting over the reading blahs.

Ive tried this author before and must say that out of what Ive read this is the best Ive seen of his work. House was kinda cute, kind of scary and kind of fun at the same time. A few of the characters especially Death - really impressed me with his personality and his funny pet animal, but overall this is a take it or leave it kind of novel. I think Nayeri could have expanded the stories and took characters a bit farther than just what little snippets we get.......the cover though- adorable...

2.5- YA-Short Story-Paranormal
Thanks to Candlewick for review copy